Spires and other portions of the National Cathedral suffered damage during the Aug. 23 earthquake. (Photo: ABC7)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Safety nets are being installed along the ceiling of the Washington National Cathedral to guard against falling debris after it was damaged by an earthquake last week.

The 5.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the East Coast on Aug. 23 caused three of the four spires of the cathedral's central tower to break off, sending stonework crashing into the building's roof. Major cracks also appeared in some of the flying buttresses.

A spokesman for the cathedral says the overall structure of the cathedral remains sound, but repairs will likely cost millions.